Geo-tagged vehicle-to-vehicle communication system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing geo-tagged vehicle-to-vehicle communication to a follower vehicle during off-road caravanning. In some embodiments, verbal instructions spoken by a leader driver are captured by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system, tagged with geospatial location information, and broadcast to follower vehicles. Follower vehicles can receive the broadcast verbal instructions, and the system can cause the verbal instructions to be reproduced when the follower vehicle is determined to be within a threshold distance of the geospatial location where the leader driver gave the verbal instructions. The verbal instructions can be accompanied by visual data, such as images and videos. The system can add navigation and landmark markers in the visual data to enhance a leader driver&#39;s geo-tagged instructions. A message path can formed from several verbal instructions spoken by the leader driver.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to geo-tagged vehicle-to-vehicle communicationsystems and methods for providing instruction guidance to a followervehicle during off-road caravanning.

BACKGROUND

Off-road driving is the activity of driving or riding a vehicle onunsurfaced roads or tracks, made of materials such as sand, gravel,riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. Types ofoff-roading vary in intensity from leisure drives undertaken byhobbyists and enthusiasts to competitive drives undertaken byprofessionals. Some vehicles are specifically built to support off-roaddriving and can navigate on terrain that is challenging or impassablefor on-road vehicles. There are communities of off-road drivers whoshare the thrill of off-road driving, and drivers will often go off-roaddriving in a group. One off-road vehicle, the leader vehicle, will firstnavigate through a given terrain and will be followed by one or moreoff-road vehicles, follower vehicles. Given the off-road nature of theactivity, follower vehicles sometimes need to drive a significantdistance behind a leader vehicle to avoid dust, rocks, or othermaterials thrown up by the leader vehicle's tires. Some off-road drivinggroups use short-range radios so that the leader driver can broadcast tofollower drivers a description of where to take a given turn, warn of adanger, or provide specific instructions on how to navigate a specificobstacle.

A follower driver can forget a leader driver's instructions between thetime the instructions are given and when the follower driver reaches thelocation where the leader driver broadcast the instructions. A followerdriver can not recognize the exact location that pertains to a leaderdriver's instructions. As a result, a follower driver can deviate fromthe leader vehicle's path or be unable to recognize a hazardouscondition. A deviation from the leader vehicle's path or misrecognitionof a hazardous condition can have dangerous consequences given the roughterrain that accompanies off-road driving. These dangerous consequencecan be injury to a follower driver or damage to a follower driver'sequipment.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are disclosed related to providing off-roadvehicle-to-vehicle communication. In some embodiments, avehicle-to-vehicle communication system captures a leader driver'sinstructions, tags the instructions with GPS coordinates, and broadcastsit to follower vehicles. The system determines the distance between afollower vehicle's real-time location and the GPS coordinates of theleader driver's instructions. Based in part on the determined distance,the system determines whether the leader driver's instructions should bereproduced to the follower driver. The system can determine that thefollower vehicle has deviated too far from the leader driver's messagepath, provide a warning to the follower driver, and route the followerdriver to a selected point on the leader vehicle's message path. In someembodiments, the leader driver's instructions include images or videodata which can include navigational or landmark markers.

One general aspect includes a system for facilitating communicationsbetween a leader driver of a leader off-road vehicle and a followerdriver of a follower off-road vehicle. The system can include a wirelessdata interface configured to receive a maneuver instructions payload.The maneuver instructions payload can include electronically encodedverbal instructions where the verbal instructions include instructionsspoken by the leader driver at a primary maneuver location. The maneuverinstructions can include electronically encoded primary maneuverlocation coordinates that correspond to a GPS location at which theleader driver began the verbal instructions. The system can include alocation data interface configured to receive a real-time vehiclelocation of the follower vehicle from a satellite-linked positionreceiver. The system can include a hardware processor connected to amemory system. The memory system can include instructions executable bythe hardware processor, where the instructions executed by the hardwareprocessor can be configured to determine that the real-time vehiclelocation of the follower vehicle is within a threshold distance of theprimary maneuver location, and in response to determining that thereal-time vehicle location of the follower vehicle is within thethreshold distance of the primary maneuver location, reproduce theverbal instructions to the follower driver.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Themaneuver instructions payload can include electronically encodedsecondary maneuver location coordinates that correspond to a secondarymaneuver location, where the secondary maneuver location correlates to aGPS location where the leader driver continued giving verbalinstructions. The maneuver instructions payload can include a messagepath that has the primary maneuver location, the secondary maneuverlocation, and a path connecting the primary maneuver location to thesecondary maneuver location.

The instructions, when executed by the hardware processor, can beconfigured to cause the system to determine when the real-time vehiclelocation of the follower vehicle is within a second threshold distanceof the secondary maneuver location. In response to determining that thereal-time location of the follower vehicle is within the secondthreshold distance of the secondary maneuver location, the instructionsexecuted by the hardware processor cause the system to continuereproducing the verbal instructions. In determining that the real-timelocation of the follower vehicle is not within the second thresholddistance of the secondary maneuver location, the instructions executedby the hardware processor can cause the system to pause the reproductionof the verbal instructions and prompt the follower driver to indicate ifthe reproduction of the verbal instructions should be continued. Inresponse to the follower driver indicating that the reproduction of theverbal instructions should be continued, the instructions executed bythe hardware processor cause the system to continue reproducing theverbal instructions.

The instructions, when executed by the hardware processor, can beconfigured to cause the system to determine that the real-time vehiclelocation of the follower vehicle has deviated from the message path byat least a third threshold distance. In response to determining that thereal-time vehicle location of the follower vehicle has deviated from themessage path by at least the third threshold distance, the instructionsexecuted by the hardware processor cause the system to generate a pathdeviation alert perceivable by the follower driver.

The instructions, when executed by the hardware processor, can beconfigured to cause the system to, in response to determining that thereal-time vehicle location of the follower vehicle has deviated from themessage path, pause the reproduction of the verbal instructions andprompt the follower driver to indicate if the reproduction of the verbalinstructions should be continued. In response to the follower driverindicating that the reproduction of the verbal instructions should becontinued, the instructions executed by the hardware processor cause thesystem to continue reproducing the verbal instructions.

The instructions, when executed by the hardware processor, can beconfigured to cause the system to, in response to determining that thereal-time vehicle location of the follower vehicle has deviated from themessage path, prompt the follower driver to indicate if the followerdriver should be routed back to the message path. In response to thefollower driver indicating that the follower driver should be routedback to the message path, the instructions executed by the hardwareprocessor can cause the system to generate a display of the message pathand the real-time location of the follower vehicle, and prompt thefollower driver to select a location along the message path. In responseto the follower driver selecting a location along the message path, theinstructions executed by the hardware processor can cause the system togenerate direction guidance routing the follower driver to the selectedlocation along the message path.

Implementations may include a camera interface configured to receiveimages captured by a camera positioned to capture imagery in thevicinity of the leader vehicle. The maneuver instructions can includeelectronically encoded imagery captured by the camera at the primarymaneuver location. The instructions, when executed by the hardwareprocessor, can be configured to cause the system to reproduce at least aportion of the imagery in a manner perceivable by the follower driver inresponse to determining that the real-time location of the followervehicle is within the threshold distance of the primary maneuverlocation. The maneuver instructions payload can include electronicallyencoded secondary imagery captured by the camera at the secondarymaneuver location. The instructions, when executed by the hardwareprocessor, can be configured to cause the system to reproduce at least aportion of the secondary imagery in a manner perceivable by the followerdriver in response to determining that the real-time location of thefollower vehicle is within the threshold distance of the secondarymaneuver location.

The instructions, when executed by the hardware processor, can beconfigured to cause the system to determine that the verbal instructionscomprise a navigation keyword. In response to determining that theverbal instructions include a navigation keyword, the instructionsexecuted by the hardware processor can cause the system to receive akeyword geospatial location from the satellite-linked position receiverand generate a display of a navigation marker on a map at the keywordgeospatial location. The instructions, when executed by the hardwareprocessor, can be configured to cause the system to determine that theverbal instructions comprise a landmark keyword. In response todetermining that the verbal instructions include a landmark keyword, theinstructions executed by the hardware processor can cause the system touse an image recognition algorithm to identify a landmark in the imageryand generate a display of a landmark marker in the imagery.

The maneuver instructions payload can include electronically encodedvideo captured by the camera at the primary maneuver location. Theinstructions, when executed by the hardware processor, can be configuredto cause the system to reproduce the video in a manner perceivable bythe follower driver in response to determining that the real-timevehicle location of the follower vehicle is within the thresholddistance of the primary maneuver location. The instructions executed bythe hardware processor can cause the system to determine that the verbalinstructions comprise a navigation keyword and/or a landmark keyword. Inresponse to determining that the verbal instructions comprise anavigation keyword, the instructions executed by the hardware processorcan cause the system to generate a display of a navigation markersuperimposed on the video. In response to determining that the verbalinstructions comprise the landmark keyword, the instructions executed bythe hardware processor can use an image recognition algorithm toidentify a landmark in the video and generate a display of a landmarkmarker in the video.

Implementations may include that the system can be configured to beginrecording the verbal instructions when the leader driver speaks atrigger word. The instructions, when executed by the hardware processor,can be configured to cause the system to determine that the leaderdriver has spoken a recipient keyword identifying a recipient of theverbal instructions. In response to determining that the leader driverhas spoken the recipient keyword, the instructions executed by thehardware processor can be configured to identify at least onecorresponding intended recipient and reproduce the verbal instructionsin a manner perceivable by the at least one corresponding intendedrecipient.

Implementations may include that the system can be configured to beginrecording the verbal instructions when the leader driver speaks at orabove a threshold volume. The system can be configured to beginrecording the verbal instructions when the leader driver presses abutton. The maneuver instructions payload can include sensor informationcollected by a sensing system connected to the first off-road vehicle.

One general aspect includes a system for facilitating communicationsbetween a leader driver of a leader vehicle and a follower driver of afollower vehicle. The system can include a wireless data interfaceconfigured to receive a maneuver instructions payload. The maneuverinstructions payload can include electronically encoded maneuverinstructions where the maneuver instructions include instructions fromthe leader driver at a primary maneuver location. The maneuverinstructions can include electronically encoded primary maneuverlocation coordinates that correspond to a GPS location at which theleader driver began providing the maneuver instructions. The system caninclude a location data interface configured to receive a real-timevehicle location of the follower vehicle from a satellite-linkedposition receiver. The system can include a hardware processor connectedto a memory system. The memory system can include instructionsexecutable by the hardware processor, where the instructions executed bythe hardware processor can be configured to cause the system todetermine that the real-time vehicle location of the follower vehicle iswithin a threshold distance of the primary maneuver location, and inresponse to determining that the real-time vehicle location of thefollower vehicle is within the threshold distance of the primarymaneuver location, reproduce the maneuver instructions to the followerdriver.

One general aspect includes headgear configured to be worn by a driverof a vehicle and to facilitate communication between drivers of off-roadvehicles. The headgear can include a vehicle-to-vehicle communicationsystem, a speaker, a microphone, a data interface configured to connectto the hardware processor, and a power connection configured to connectto a power supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments will now be described with reference to thefollowing drawings. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may bere-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. Thedrawings are provided to illustrate example embodiments described hereinand are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of location-tagged vehicle-to-vehiclecommunication.

FIG. 2A is a system diagram of an example vehicle-to-vehiclecommunication system.

FIG. 2B is a system diagram of example headgear comprising avehicle-to-vehicle communication system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method for capturing instructions andreproducing instructions in in a follower vehicle.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a method for creating instructionspayload based on instructions verbalized in a leader vehicle.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a message path.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a message path with a leader vehicleand follower vehicles.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a method for creating an instructionspayload with visual data.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a method for reproducing leaderinstructions in a follower vehicle.

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a method for reproducing leaderinstructions in a follower vehicle when the follower vehicle deviatesfrom the message path.

FIG. 9B illustrates an example of a method for reproducing leaderinstructions in a follower vehicle when the follower vehicle wants to berouted back to the message path.

FIG. 10A illustrates an example of a leader message path.

FIG. 10B illustrates an example of a follower path.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a graphical user interface mounted inan off-road vehicle.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a graphical user interface connectedto a vehicle-to-vehicle communications system.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a method for creating an instructionspayload comprising navigation and/or landmark markers.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a visual reproduction of aninstructions payload comprising navigation and landmark markers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure presents various embodiments of systems and methodsrelated to providing vehicle-to-vehicle communication between a leaderdriver of a leader off-road vehicle and a follower driver of a followeroff-road vehicle. The disclosure presents various embodiments of systemsand methods related to providing a follower driver with the leaderdriver's maneuver instructions to safely and reliably follow the leadervehicle and navigate through difficult terrain.

Providing the leader driver's instructions to follower vehicles can bechallenging because there is a time delay between when a leader driverprovides maneuver instructions and when a follower vehicle reaches thelocation where those instructions are relevant. Some embodiments providelocation-tagged instructions that are reproduced to be perceived by afollower driver when the follower vehicle is in close proximity to thelocation at which the leader vehicle was located when the first driverbegan the maneuver instructions. This relieves a follower driver fromneeding to remember the leader driver's instructions until the followervehicle reaches the location where the leader driver began the maneuverinstructions. This relieves a follower driver from having to determinethe location that corresponds to the leader driver's maneuverinstructions.

Some embodiments provide visual data, such as images or videos, as partof the location-tagged instructions, and in some embodiments, navigationand/or landmark markers can be added to the visual data. This depictswhat the leader driver was perceiving when providing the maneuverinstructions and can resolve ambiguities that may exist in any verbalmaneuver instructions provided by the leader driver to a followervehicle.

Some embodiments provide headgear that includes a vehicle-to-vehiclecommunication system. Given headgear's compact nature, this could betteraccommodate certain smaller subclasses of off-road vehicles, such asdirt bikes or four wheelers, but the use of headgear is in no waylimited to smaller subclasses of off-road vehicles.

Example of Location-Tagged Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication

FIG. 1 is a drawing depicting an example embodiment of location-taggedvehicle-to-vehicle communication 100, according to some embodiments. Thedrawing is provided for the purpose of facilitating description ofaspects of some embodiments. The drawing does not attempt to illustrateall aspects of the disclosure and should not be considered limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of location-tagged vehicle-to-vehiclecommunication 100. A leader vehicle 102—also referred to as a leaderoff-road vehicle, first vehicle, or first off-road vehicle—leads afollower vehicle 104—also referred to as a follower off-road vehicle,second vehicle, or second off-road vehicle. The leader driver providesinstructions to the follower vehicle 104 which are recorded and taggedwith GPS coordinates received from a satellite 106. The leader driver'slocation-tagged instructions 108 are broadcast to the follower vehicle104. The follower vehicle 104 stores the location tagged instructions.The satellite 106 supplies the follower vehicle 104 with the real-timeGPS coordinates of the follower vehicle 104. When the real-time GPScoordinates of the follower vehicle 104 are in close proximity to theGPS coordinates of the location-tagged instructions 108, thelocation-tagged instructions are reproduced in a manner perceivable bythe follower driver.

As discussed, FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of alocation-tagged vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Other embodiments caninclude one or more other criteria described with reference to FIG. 1.Embodiments that may omit or add to one or more features to the examplelocation-tagged vehicle-to-vehicle communication of FIG. 1 are withinthe scope of this disclosure.

Example System Diagram

FIG. 2A is an example system diagram of a vehicle guidance system,according to some embodiments. As depicted in FIG. 2A, the vehicleguidance system 200 can include a vehicle-to-vehicle communicationsystem 202. The architecture of the vehicle-to-vehicle communicationsystem 202 can include an arrangement of computer hardware and softwarecomponents used to implement aspects of the present disclosure. Thevehicle-to-vehicle communication system 202 may include more or fewerelements than those shown in FIG. 2A. It is not necessary, however, thatall of these elements be shown in order to provide an enablingdisclosure. In some embodiments, the vehicle-to-vehicle communicationsystem 202 is an example of what is referred to hereinbefore as avehicle guidance system.

As illustrated, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system 202 caninclude a hardware processor 204, wireless data interface 206, camerainterface 208, sensor interface 210, location data interface 212,display interface 214, speaker interface 216, microphone interface 218,and/or memory system 234, all of which can communicate with one anotherby way of a data communication technique. The hardware processor 204 canread and write to the memory system 234 and can execute computer programinstructions 236 stored on the memory system 236 to perform the methodsdisclosed herein.

The wireless data interface 206 can input/output from a transceiver 220that can be used to communicate between vehicles. The transceiver 220can send and receive information contained in the maneuver instructionspayload 238—including the verbal instructions 240, primary maneuverlocation coordinates 242, primary maneuver location timestamp 244,secondary maneuver location coordinates 246, secondary maneuver locationtimestamp 248, message path 252, visual data 254, and maneuverinstructions 256—and/or other information. The transceiver 220 can sendand receive the real-time location of a vehicle as provided by thelocation data interface 212. The transceiver 220 and wireless datainterface 206 can be controlled by the hardware processor 204 executingthe computer program instructions 236 stored on the memory system 236.

The camera interface 208 can receive input from a camera 222 that can beused to capture visual data 254. Visual data 254 includes, but is notlimited to, images and videos. The camera 222 can be used to determinethe distance between a vehicle and an object. The camera 222 and camerainterface 208 can be controlled by the hardware processor 204 executingthe computer program instructions 236 stored on the memory system 236.

The sensor interface 210 can accept input from a sensor 224. Sensor 224can be an optic sensor, radar sensor, infrared sensor, laser sensor,LiDAR sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter, and/or other sensingsystem. In some embodiments, the sensor 224 can be used to determine thedistance between a vehicle and an object. For example, sensor 224 can beused to determine the distance between a vehicle and a landmark 1414 ofFIG. 14. In some embodiments, sensor 224 can be used to determinevehicle elevation. In some embodiments, sensor 224 can be used todetermine the slope of terrain. The sensor 224 can be used to supplementthe verbal instructions 240, visual data 254, and/or maneuverinstructions 256. The sensor 224 and sensor interface 210 can becontrolled by the hardware processor 204 executing the computer programinstructions 236 stored on the memory system 236.

The location data interface 212 can receive input from thesatellite-linked position receiver 226. The location data interface 212can connect to a map data server or weather data server via one or morenetworks (such as the internet, 3G/Wi-Fi/LTE/5G networks, etc.). Thelocation data interface 212 can receive geopositioning information fromthe satellite-linked position receiver 226. In some embodiments, thelocation data interface 212 can receive geopositioning information froma network (such as the internet, 3G/Wi-Fi/LTE/5G networks, etc.). Insome embodiments, the location data interface 212 may receive, whereapplicable, alternate position information or information that can beused for location determination (such as cellular and/or Wi-Fi signalthat can be used to triangulate a location) and determine the locationof a vehicle. The satellite-linked position receiver 226 can communicatewith satellites, such as satellite 106 of FIG. 1. The location datainterface 212 and satellite-linked position receiver 226 can becontrolled by the hardware processor 204 executing the computer programinstructions 236 stored on the memory system 236.

The display interface 214 can receive input from the display 228. Thedisplay 228 can display the information contained in the maneuverinstructions payload 238—including the verbal instructions 240, primarymaneuver location coordinates 242, primary maneuver location timestamp244, secondary maneuver location coordinates 246, secondary maneuverlocation timestamp 248, message path 252, visual data 254, and maneuverinstructions 256—and other information. In some embodiments, thereal-time location of a vehicle can be displayed. In some embodiments,the display 228 can display a map provided by the location datainterface 212. The display 228 can display a map stored in the memorysystem 234. The display interface 214 and display 228 can be controlledby the hardware processor 204 executing the computer programinstructions 236 stored on the memory system 236.

The speaker interface 216 can output information through the speaker230. The outputted information can include verbal instructions 240, thewarning 910 of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the routing instructions 924 of FIG.9B, real-time communication between two vehicles, and/or other audio.The speaker interface 216 and speaker 230 can be controlled by thehardware processor 204 executing the computer program instructions 236stored on the memory system 236.

The microphone interface 218 can receive input information throughmicrophone 232. The input information can include any audio, includingthe verbal instructions 240 of the leader driver. The microphoneinterface 218 and microphone 232 can be controlled by the hardwareprocessor 204 executing the computer program instructions 236 stored onthe memory system 236.

The memory 234 can contain computer program instructions 236 that thehardware processor 204 can execute in order to implement one or moreembodiments described herein. The memory 234 can generally include RAM,ROM and/or other persistent, auxiliary or non-transitorycomputer-readable media. The memory 234 can store an operating systemthat provides computer program instructions for use by the hardwareprocessor 204 in the general administration and operation of thevehicle-to-vehicle communication system 202.

The memory system 234 can include a maneuver instructions payload 238.The maneuver instructions payload 238 can include the verbalinstructions 240, primary maneuver location coordinates 242, primarymaneuver location timestamp 244, secondary maneuver location coordinates246, secondary maneuver location timestamp 248, message path 252, visualdata 254, maneuver instructions 256, and other information.

The verbal instructions 240 can be the instructions spoken by a leaderdriver that are for a follower driver. In some embodiments, the verbalinstructions 240 can be the instructions spoken by a passenger in theleader vehicle. In some embodiments, the verbal instructions 240 can besupplemented or overridden by a follower driver or passenger of afollower vehicle.

The primary maneuver location coordinates 242 can be the GPS coordinatesor geospatial location of the leader vehicle when the leader driverbegan the verbal instructions 240. In other embodiments, the primarymaneuver location coordinates 242 can be the GPS or geospatial locationof the leader vehicle when the leader driver began providing maneuverinstructions 256. Maneuver instructions 256 are any instructions,regardless of form, given by a leader driver or passenger in a leadervehicle to a follower vehicle. The primary maneuver location timestamp244 is a timestamp of the time when the leader vehicle was at theprimary maneuver location coordinates 242.

The secondary maneuver location coordinates 246 can be the GPScoordinates or geospatial location of the leader vehicle when the leaderdriver continued giving verbal instructions 240. The secondary maneuverlocation timestamp 248 is a timestamp at the time the leader vehicle wasat the secondary maneuver location coordinates.

The message path 252 can include primary maneuver location coordinates242, secondary maneuver location coordinates 246, and/or a path 514 ofFIG. 5. The visual data 254 can include images and/or video.

In some embodiments, the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system 202 isinstalled in a vehicle and/or integrated with an on-board navigationsystem. In some embodiments, the system 202 can be a softwareapplication configured to execute on a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computing device, such as, for example, a smartphone, atablet computer, a mobile GPS device, or a laptop computer.

Example Headgear Connected to Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication System

FIG. 2B is an example system diagram of a headgear vehicle guidancesystem, according to some embodiments. As depicted in FIG. 2B, theheadgear vehicle guidance system 258 can include a headgear system 260.The architecture of the headgear system 260 can include an arrangementof computer hardware and software components used to implement aspectsof the present disclosure. The headgear system 260 may include more orfewer elements than those shown in FIG. 2B. It is not necessary,however, that all of these elements be shown in order to provide anenabling disclosure. In some embodiments, the headgear system 260 is anexample of what is referred to hereinbefore as a headgear vehicleguidance system.

As illustrated, the headgear system 260 includes the vehicle-to-vehiclecommunication system 202 of FIG. 2A. The headgear system 260 can includea speaker 230 and microphone 232 within the headgear system 260. Theheadgear system 260 can include a power connection that is configured toconnect to a vehicle 268 and/or a battery 262. The headgear system 260can include a data connection 266 configured to connect to the vehicle268.

Example Method for Capturing Instructions and Reproducing Instructionsin a Follower Vehicle

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting an example method of capturinginstructions and reproducing instructions in a follower vehicle 300,according to some embodiments. The flow diagram is provided for thepurpose of facilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. Thediagram does not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure andshould not be considered limiting.

At block 302, the system can capture the first driver's instructions. Asdescribed with reference to FIG. 2A, the first driver's instructions canbe verbal instructions 240, maneuver instructions 256, and/or visualdata 254.

At block 304, the system can tag the first driver's instructions with aGPS location. As described with reference to FIG. 2A, the location datainterface 212 can receive

GPS coordinates for the real-time location of the first vehicle from thesatellite-linked position receiver 226. The system can tag the firstdriver's instructions with the GPS coordinates.

At block 306, the system can broadcast the first driver'slocation-tagged instructions to a second driver. A second driver can beany driver following the first driver. As described with reference toFIG. 2A, the system can send a maneuver instructions payload 238 fromthe first driver of the first vehicle to a second vehicle of a secondvehicle via the wireless data interface 206 and transceiver 220. Asecond vehicle can receive the maneuver instructions payload 238 withthe transceiver 220 located with the second vehicle, and the maneuversinstructions payload 238 can be stored in the memory system 234 locatedwith the second vehicle.

At block 308, the system can reproduce the first driver's instructions.As described with reference to FIG. 2A, the system receives the GPScoordinates for the real-time location of the second vehicle via thelocation data interface 212 and satellite-linked position receiver 226.The system determines that the real-time location of the second vehicleis within a threshold distance of the GPS location of thelocation-tagged first driver's instructions and reproduces the firstdriver's instructions to the second driver.

As discussed, FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a method ofproviding direction guidance. Other embodiments can include one or moreother criteria described with reference to FIG. 3 and/or other suitablecriteria for accomplishing one or more objectives set forth in thisdisclosure. Such embodiments, which may omit or add to one or more thesteps shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 3, are within the scope of thisdisclosure.

Example Method for Capturing Instructions Payload Based on InstructionsVerbalized in Leader Vehicle

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting an example method for capturinginstructions payload based on instructions verbalized in leader vehicle400, according to some embodiments. The flow diagram is provided for thepurpose of facilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. Thediagram does not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure andshould not be considered limiting.

At block 402, the system can detect the beginning of the verbalinstructions. The verbal instructions can be verbalized instructionsfrom the first driver of the first vehicle and/or it can be instructionsverbalized from a passenger in the first vehicle. The system can detectthe beginning of the verbalized instructions by detecting when the firstdriver or passenger in the first vehicle begins to speak. In someembodiments, the system can detect the beginning of the verbalizedinstructions by detecting that the first driver or passenger has stateda keyword. In some embodiments, the system can detect the beginning ofthe verbalized instructions by detecting that the first driver orpassenger has spoken at or above a threshold volume. This thresholdvolume can be a decibel level. In some embodiments, the system candetect the beginning of the verbalized instructions by detecting thatthe first driver or a passenger has pressed a button or performedanother physical operation, such as performing a certain drivingmaneuver like taking a turn of more than 30 degrees, to signify thebeginning of the verbal instructions.

At block 404, the system can capture the verbal instructions. The systemcan record the verbalized instructions using the microphone 232 andmicrophone interface 218 as described with reference to FIG. 2A. Therecorded verbalized instructions can be stored in the memory system 234as described with reference to FIG. 2A.

At block 406, the system can tag the verbal instructions with atimestamp and the GPS location of the first vehicle at the beginning ofthe verbal instructions. As described with reference to FIG. 2A, thelocation data interface 212 can receive the GPS location for thereal-time location of the first vehicle from the satellite-linkedposition receiver 226. In some embodiments, the location data interface212 can receive geopositioning information from a network (such as theinternet, 3G/Wi-Fi/LTE/5G networks, etc.) to determine the GPS locationof the first vehicle. In some embodiments, the location data interface212 may receive, where applicable, alternate position information orinformation that can be used for location determination (such ascellular and/or Wi-Fi signal that can be used to triangulate a location)and determine the GPS location of the first vehicle. The GPS coordinatesof the first vehicle when the verbalized instructions began can bereferred to as a primary maneuver coordinates, and the location can bereferred to as a primary maneuver location. The system can tag thebeginning of the verbal instructions with the primary maneuvercoordinates that correspond to the primary maneuver location. The systemcan tag the beginning of the verbal instructions with a timestamp.

At block 408, the system can tag the verbal instructions with a timestamp and the GPS location of the first vehicle while the first driveror passenger in the first vehicle continues giving verbal instructions.The GPS coordinates of the first vehicle when the first driver orpassenger in the first vehicle continues giving verbalized instructionscan be referred to as secondary maneuver location coordinates, and thelocation can be referred to as a secondary maneuver location. In someembodiments, secondary maneuver location coordinates are tagged in aleader driver's verbal instructions at the secondary maneuver locationwhen the leader driver continues giving verbal instructions after a timeinterval and or set of time intervals (e.g., 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 1minute, etc.). In some embodiments, secondary maneuver locationcoordinates are tagged in a leader driver's verbal instructions at thesecondary maneuver location when the leader driver continues givingverbal instructions and the leader vehicle performs a certain drivingmaneuver, such as a turn of more than 30 degrees. In some embodiments,secondary maneuver location coordinates are tagged in a leader driver'sverbal instructions at the secondary maneuver location when the leaderdriver continues giving verbal instructions and the leader driverindicates that secondary maneuver location coordinates 246 should betagged. In some embodiments, the leader driver can indicate thatsecondary maneuver location coordinates should be tagged by speaking akeyword, pressing a button, or in some other manner.

At block 410, the system can broadcast location-tagged verbalinstructions to a second driver. As described with reference to FIG. 2A,the transceiver 220 and wireless data interface 206 can be used tobroadcast a maneuver instructions payload 238 that includes verbalinstructions 240. Once the verbal instructions are location-tagged, thesystem can send the verbal instructions to a second vehicle via thetransceiver 220 and wireless data interface 206. In some embodiments,the verbal instructions can be sent to all second vehicles. In someembodiments, the verbal instructions can be sent to at least oneintended recipient. The system can determine that the first driver orpassenger of the first vehicle has spoken a recipient keyword in theverbal instructions that identifies at least one recipient, and inresponse to the system determining that a recipient keyword wasincluded, the system can identify at least one corresponding intendedrecipient and broadcast the location-tagged verbal instructions to theat least one intended recipient. In some embodiments, thelocation-tagged verbal instructions can be sent to all second vehicles,but the verbal instructions will only be reproduced for the at least oneintended recipient.

As discussed, FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of a method ofproviding direction guidance. Other embodiments can include one or moreother criteria described with reference to FIG. 4 and/or other suitablecriteria for accomplishing one or more objectives set forth in thisdisclosure. Such embodiments, which may omit or add to one or more thesteps shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 4, are within the scope of thisdisclosure.

Example Message Path

FIG. 5 is a drawing depicting an example embodiment of a message path500, according to some embodiments. The drawing is provided for thepurpose of facilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. Thedrawing does not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure andshould not be considered limiting.

As described in reference to FIG. 4, verbal instructions can betimestamped and tagged with primary maneuver coordinates at the primarymaneuver location and secondary maneuver coordinates at the secondarymaneuver location. In some embodiments, the system can create a messagepath with the primary maneuver location, secondary maneuver locations,and a path. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the primarymaneuver location 502 is the beginning of the message path 500. Thesecondary maneuver locations 504, 506, 508, 510, and 512 are subsequentto the primary maneuver location 502. In some embodiments, the systemcan order the primary maneuver location 502 and secondary maneuverlocations 504, 506, 508, 510, and 512 using the timestamp informationand/or GPS coordinates provided with the location-tagged verbalinstructions. In some embodiments, the system can connect the primarymaneuver location 502 and the secondary maneuver locations 504, 506,508, 510, and 512 with the path 514.

In some embodiments, the path 514 is the GPS recorded path of the firstvehicle. In some embodiments, the path 514 is made of straight linesegments connecting the primary maneuver location 502 and the secondarymaneuver locations 504, 506, 508, 510, and 512. In some embodiments, thesystem uses route predicting software to create a path 514 withpredictive curvature between the primary maneuver location 502 and thesecondary maneuver locations 504, 506, 508, 510, and 512. In someembodiments, the system can create a message path that includes onlyprimary maneuver locations. In some embodiments, the system can create amessage path that includes all the primary maneuver locations andsecondary maneuver locations for an off-roading trip. In someembodiments, the system can create a message path that includes all theprimary maneuver locations, secondary maneuver locations, and shortermessage paths that comprise an off-roading trip.

As discussed, FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a messagepath. Other embodiments can include one or more other criteria describedwith reference to FIG. 5. Embodiments that may omit or add to one ormore features to the example message path of FIG. 5 are within the scopeof this disclosure.

Example Message Path with a Leader Vehicle and Follower Vehicles

FIG. 6 is a drawing depicting an example embodiment of a message pathwith a leader vehicle and follower vehicles 600, according to someembodiments. The drawing is provided for the purpose of facilitatingdescription of aspects of some embodiments. The drawing does not attemptto illustrate all aspects of the disclosure and should not be consideredlimiting.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the leader vehicle 608 has broadcastlocation-tagged verbal instructions to follower vehicles 602, 604, and606. Message path 618 includes a primary maneuver location 610 withsecondary maneuver locations 612, 614, and 616 all connected by a path.There is a singular primary maneuver location 620 and singular primarymaneuver location 622. Message path 632 includes a primary maneuverlocation 624 with secondary maneuver locations 626, 628, and 630 allconnected by a path. Follower vehicles 602, 604, and 606 can supplementor override the verbal instructions broadcast by the leader vehicle 608.Follower vehicles 602, 604 and 606 are all following leader vehicle 608,but the system can determine if a follower vehicle becomes the leadervehicle by comparing the real-time vehicle location of all the vehiclesin a caravan. The new leader vehicle would then broadcast verbalinstructions to all follower vehicles. In some embodiments, the messagepath 618, primary maneuver location 620, primary maneuver location 622,and message path 632 are all part of a larger message path.

As discussed, FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a message pathwith a leader vehicle and follower vehicles. Other embodiments caninclude one or more other criteria described with reference to FIG. 10A.Embodiments that may omit or add to one or more features to the exampleleader message path of FIG. 10A are within the scope of this disclosure.

Example Method for Creating Instructions Payload Comprising Visual Data

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting an example method for creatinginstructions payload comprising visual data 700, according to someembodiments. The flow diagram is provided for the purpose offacilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. The diagramdoes not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure and shouldnot be considered limiting.

At block 702, the system can detect the beginning of the verbalinstructions by the first driver or passenger in the first vehicle.Block 702 has the same description as described in reference to block402 of FIG. 4.

At block 704, the system can capture the verbal instructions of thefirst driver or passenger in the first vehicle. Block 704 has the samedescription as described in reference to block 404 of FIG. 4.

At block 706, the system can capture the visual data of the firstdriver's surroundings when the first driver or a passenger of the firstvehicle begins the verbal instructions. As described in reference toFIG. 2A, the camera interface 208 can receive input from a camera 222that can be used to capture visual data 254. Visual data includes, butis not limited to, images and videos. In some embodiments, the camerabegins capturing video at the beginning of the verbal instructions andstops capturing video at the verbal instructions conclusion. In someembodiments, the camera captures a photo at the beginning of the verbalinstructions. In some embodiments, the camera captures a photo at anysubsequent secondary maneuver locations.

At block 708, the system can tag the verbal instructions with the GPSlocation of the first vehicle at the beginning of the verbalinstructions. Block 708 has the same description as described inreference to block 406 of FIG. 4.

At block 710, the system can broadcast location-tagged verbalinstructions and visual data to a second driver in a maneuvererinstructions payload. Block 710 has the same description as described inreference to block 410 of FIG. 4 with the addition that the capturedvisual data described in block 706 is broadcast with the location-taggedverbal instructions in the same maneuver instructions payload 238 asdescribed in reference to FIG. 2A.

As discussed, FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of a method forcreating instructions payload comprising visual data. Other embodimentscan include one or more other criteria described with reference to FIG.7 and/or other suitable criteria for accomplishing one or moreobjectives set forth in this disclosure. Such embodiments, which mayomit or add to one or more the steps shown in the flow diagram of FIG.7, are within the scope of this disclosure.

Example Method for Reproducing Leader Instructions in a Follower Vehicle

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting an example method for reproducingleader instructions in a follower vehicle 800, according to someembodiments. The flow diagram is provided for the purpose offacilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. The diagramdoes not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure and shouldnot be considered limiting.

At block 802, a second vehicle can receive location-tagged maneuverinstructions from a first vehicle. As described in reference to FIG. 2A,the location-tagged maneuver instructions comes in a maneuverinstructions payload 238. The second driver can receive the maneuverinstructions payload 238 from the first vehicle via the transceiver 220and wireless data interface 206. The maneuver instructions payload 238can include verbal instructions 240, primary maneuver locationcoordinates 242, primary maneuver location timestamp 244, secondarymaneuver location coordinates 246, secondary maneuver location timestamp248, message path 252, visual data 254, maneuver instructions 256,and/or other data. The maneuver instructions payload 238 can be storedin the memory system 234.

At block 804, the system can determine that the second vehicle is withina threshold distance of the primary maneuver location. As described withreference to FIG. 2A, the system receives the GPS coordinates for thereal-time location of the second vehicle via the location data interface212 and satellite-linked position receiver 226. The system determinesthat the real-time location of the second vehicle is within a thresholddistance of the primary maneuver location of a location-tagged maneuverinstruction.

At block 806, the system can reproduce the location-tagged maneuverinstructions in a manner perceivable to the second driver of the secondvehicle. In some embodiments, the system can reproduce the verbalinstructions via a microphone. In some embodiments, the system canreproduce the verbal instructions as text on a display such as depictedin FIG. 14. In some embodiments, the system can reproduce the visualdata on a graphical user interface as depicted in FIG. 14. In someembodiments, the system can display a message path on a graphical userinterface as depicted in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12

At block 810, the system asks if T₁ has elapsed. In some embodiments, T₁is the duration of time that passed between when the first vehicletravelled from the primary maneuver location to a secondary maneuverlocation. When the system determines that T₁ has not elapsed, the systemcontinues to reproduce the location tagged maneuver instructionsdetailed in block 806. When the system determines that T₁ has elapsed,the system continues onto block 812.

At block 812, the system asks if the second vehicle is within athreshold distance of the next secondary maneuver location on themessage path. As described with reference to FIG. 2A, the systemreceives the GPS coordinates for the real-time location of the secondvehicle via the location data interface 212 and satellite-linkedposition receiver 226. The system can determine when the real-timelocation of the second vehicle is within a threshold distance of thenext secondary maneuver location on the message path. When the real-timelocation of the second vehicle is within a threshold distance of thenext secondary maneuver location on the message path, the system movesto block 818. When the real-time location of the second vehicle is notwithin a threshold distance of the next secondary maneuver location onthe message path, the system moves to block 814.

At block 814, the system pauses the reproduction of the location-taggedmaneuver instructions.

At block 815, the system asks if the second drive if the second driverwants to continue the reproduction of the location-tagged maneuverinstructions. In some embodiments, the system verbally asks the seconddriver by producing audio via the speaker and speaker interface asdescribed in reference to FIG. 2A. In some embodiments, the system askthe second driver by depicting a question on a display screen. In someembodiments, the system can accept a second driver input response via auser interface. In some embodiments, the system can accept a seconddriver input response via the second driver speaking into a microphone.In some embodiments, the system can accept a second driver inputresponse via a gesture of the second driver. The system can capture thegesture via the camera 222 and camera interface 208 as described inreference to FIG. 2A, and with a gesture recognition algorithm that isstored on the memory system 234, the system can determine a seconddriver's response. When the second driver indicates that the seconddriver does not want to continue the reproduction, the system moves toblock 814. When the second driver indicates that the second driver doeswant to continue the reproduction, the system moves to block 818.

At block 818, the system continues the reproduction of thelocation-tagged maneuver instructions. In some embodiments, the systemmay move to block 810 when there are subsequent secondary maneuverlocations on the same message path but ask if T_(n) has elapsed. In someembodiments, T_(n) can be the duration of time that passed between whenthe first vehicle travelled from the a given secondary maneuver locationto a subsequent secondary maneuver location. In some embodiments, thiscould repeat until the second vehicle has navigated to the lastsecondary maneuver location on a given message path.

As discussed, FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of a method forreproducing leader instructions in a follower vehicle. Other embodimentscan include one or more other criteria described with reference to FIG.8 and/or other suitable criteria for accomplishing one or moreobjectives set forth in this disclosure. Such embodiments, which mayomit or add to one or more the steps shown in the flow diagram of FIG.8, are within the scope of this disclosure.

Example Method for Reproducing Leader Instructions in a Follower Vehiclewhen the Follower Vehicle Deviates from the Message Path

FIG. 9A is a flow diagram depicting an example method for reproducingleader instructions in a follower vehicle when the follower vehicledeviates from the message path 900, according to some embodiments. Theflow diagram is provided for the purpose of facilitating description ofaspects of some embodiments. The diagram does not attempt to illustrateall aspects of the disclosure and should not be considered limiting.

At block 902, the system receives location-tagged maneuver instructions.Block 902 has the same description as described in reference to block802 of FIG. 8.

At block 904, the system determines that the second vehicle is within athreshold distance of a primary maneuver location. Block 904 has thesame description as described in reference to block 804 of FIG. 8.

At block 906, the system reproduces the location-tagged instructions.Block 906 has the same description as described in reference to block806 of FIG. 8.

At block 908, the system asks if the second vehicle is deviating fromthe message path. As described with reference to FIG. 2A, the systemreceives the GPS coordinates for the real-time location of the secondvehicle via the location data interface 212 and satellite-linkedposition receiver 226. The system can determine that the second vehicleis deviating from the message path when the distance between thereal-time vehicle location of the second vehicle and the message pathexceeds a threshold distance. When the deviation exceeds a thresholddistance, the system moves to block 910. When the deviation does notexceed a threshold distance the system moves to block 916.

At block 910, the system produces a warning perceivable by the seconddriver. In some embodiments, the warning is an audio warning that thesystem outputs via the speaker 230 and speaker interface 216 describedin reference to FIG. 2A. In some embodiments, the warning is displayedvia the display 228 and display interface 214 described in reference toFIG. 2A. After the warning is displayed, the system moves to block 912.

At block 912, the system pauses the reproduction of the location-taggedmaneuver instructions. After the system pauses the reproduction, thesystem moves to block 914.

At block 914, the system asks if the second driver wants to continuereproducing the location-tagged maneuver instructions. In someembodiments, the system verbally asks the second driver by producingaudio via the speaker and speaker interface as described in reference toFIG. 2A. In some embodiments, the system ask the second driver bydepicting a question on a display screen. In some embodiments, thesystem can accept a second driver input response via a user interface.In some embodiments, the system can accept a second driver inputresponse via the second driver speaking into a microphone. In someembodiments, the system can accept a second driver input response via agesture of the second driver. The system can capture the gesture via thecamera 222 and camera interface 208 as described in reference to FIG.2A, and with a gesture recognition algorithm that is stored on thememory system 234, the system can determine a second driver's response.When the second driver indicates that the second driver does not want tocontinue the reproduction, the system moves to block 912. When thesecond driver indicates that the second driver does want to continue thereproduction, the system moves to block 916.

At block 916, the system continues to reproduce the location-taggedmaneuver instructions. After continuing the reproduction to itsconclusion, the system moves to block 918.

At block 918, the system ends the reproduction of the location-taggedmaneuver instructions once the system has determined that thereproduction is complete.

As discussed, FIG. 9A illustrates an example embodiment of a method forreproducing leader instructions in a follower vehicle when the followervehicle deviates from the message path. Other embodiments can includeone or more other criteria described with reference to FIG. 9A and/orother suitable criteria for accomplishing one or more objectives setforth in this disclosure. Such embodiments, which may omit or add to oneor more the steps shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 9A, are within thescope of this disclosure.

Example Method for Reproducing Leader Instructions in a Follower Vehiclewhen the Driver of the Follower Vehicle Wants to be Routed Back to theMessage Path

FIG. 9B is a flow diagram depicting an example method for reproducingleader instructions in a follower vehicle when the driver of thefollower vehicle wants to be routed back to the message path 920,according to some embodiments. The flow diagram is provided for thepurpose of facilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. Thediagram does not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure andshould not be considered limiting.

Blocks 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 916, and 918 are describe inreference to FIG. 9A.

At block 922, the system asks the second driver if the second driverwants to be routed to a location on the message path. The manner inwhich the system asks the second driver for input and the manner inwhich the system accepts a second driver input is includes the modesdescribed in block 914 of FIG. 9A. In some embodiments, the system candisplay the message path on a display screen. The system can display themessage path superimposed on a map. The system can display the real-timelocation of the second vehicle. The system can display the real-timelocation of the first vehicle and any other second vehicles. In someembodiments, the system can accept a second driver input response viaselecting a point on the message path. When the system determines thatthe second driver wants to be routed to a location on the message path,the system moves to block 924. When the system determines that thesecond driver does not want to be routed to a location on the messagepath, the system moves to block 928.

At block 924, the system routes the second vehicle to the desiredlocation on the message path. In some embodiments, the system routes thesecond vehicle to the desired location on the message path with audibleinstructions provided to the second driver via a speaker and speakerinterface. In some embodiments, the system routes the second vehicle tothe desired location on the message path with visual instructionsprovided to the second driver via a speaker and speaker interface.

At block 926, the system determines that the second vehicle is within athreshold distance of the desired location on the message path. Asdescribed with reference to FIG. 2A, the system receives the GPScoordinates for the real-time location of the second vehicle via thelocation data interface 212 and satellite-linked position receiver 226.The system can determine that the second vehicle is within a thresholddistance of the desired location on the message path by the determiningthe distance between the real-time vehicle location of the secondvehicle and the desired location on the message path. When systemdetermines that the second vehicle is within a threshold distance, thesystem moves to block 916.

At block 928, the system determines that the second vehicle is within athreshold distance of the message path. Block 928 is described in block926 with the difference that the system determines that the secondvehicle is within a threshold distance of the message path, not adesired location on the message path. When the system determines thatthe second vehicle is within a threshold distance, the system moves toblock 916.

As discussed, FIG. 9B illustrates an example embodiment of a method forreproducing leader instructions in a follower vehicle when the followervehicle deviates from the message path. Other embodiments can includeone or more other criteria described with reference to FIG. 9B and/orother suitable criteria for accomplishing one or more objectives setforth in this disclosure. Such embodiments, which may omit or add to oneor more the steps shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 9B, are within thescope of this disclosure.

Example Leader Message Path

FIG. 10A is a drawing depicting an example leader message path 1000,according to some embodiments. The drawing is provided for the purposeof facilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. The drawingdoes not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure and shouldnot be considered limiting.

As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the leader message path 1000 includes afirst location-tagged maneuver instruction 1004, second location-taggedmaneuver instruction 1006, and a third location-tagged maneuverinstruction 1008. Each location-tagged maneuver instruction includesverbal instructions, a timestamp, and GPS coordinates corresponding towhen the first driver gave the verbal instructions. The GPS recordedpath of the first vehicle 1002 connects the GPS locations of the firstlocation-tagged maneuver instruction 1004, second location-taggedmaneuver instruction 1006, and a third location-tagged maneuverinstruction 1008.

As discussed, FIG. 10A illustrates an example leader message path. Otherembodiments can include one or more other criteria described withreference to FIG. 10A. Embodiments that may omit or add to one or morefeatures to the example leader message path of FIG. 10A are within thescope of this disclosure.

Example Follower Path

FIG. 10B is a drawing depicting an example follower message path 1001,according to some embodiments. The drawing is provided for the purposeof facilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. The drawingdoes not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure and shouldnot be considered limiting.

As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the follower path 1001 includes the GPSrecorded path of the second vehicle 1022. The first reproductionlocation 1012 indicates the location where the reproduced firstlocation-tagged maneuver instruction 1010 was reproduced to the seconddriver. The second reproduction location 1016 indicates the locationwhere the reproduced second location-tagged maneuver instruction 1014was reproduced to the second driver. The third reproduction location1020 indicates the location where the second driver received a warningand prompt to route message 1018 because the second driver had deviatedfrom the leader message path 1000 as described in reference to FIG. 10A.In one embodiment, the steps leading to the warning and prompt to routemessage 1018 are detailed in FIG. 9B.

As discussed, FIG. 10B illustrates an example follower path. Otherembodiments can include one or more other criteria described withreference to FIG. 10B. Embodiments that may omit or add to one or morefeatures to the follower path of FIG. 10B are within the scope of thisdisclosure.

Example Graphical User Interface Mounted in an Off-Road Vehicle

FIG. 11 is a drawing depicting an example graphical user interfacemounted in an off-road vehicle 1100, according to some embodiments. Thedrawing is provided for the purpose of facilitating description ofaspects of some embodiments. The drawing does not attempt to illustrateall aspects of the disclosure and should not be considered limiting.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the graphical user interface mounted in anoff-road vehicle 1100 includes a graphical user interface 1104 that canbe mounted in a vehicle 1102. The graphical user interface 1104 can bethe display 228 described in reference to FIG. 2A. In some embodiments,the graphical user interface 1106 is a touch screen and can receiveinput from a user touching the surface of the graphical user interface1104. An example embodiment of what the graphical user interface candisplay is described in reference to FIG.

12.

As discussed, FIG. 11 illustrates an example graphical user interfacemounted in an off-road vehicle. Other embodiments can include one ormore other criteria described with reference to FIG. 11. Embodimentsthat may omit or add to one or more features to the graphical userinterface mounted in an off-road vehicle of FIG. 11 are within the scopeof this disclosure.

Example Graphical User Interface

FIG. 12 is a drawing depicting an example graphical user interface 1104,according to some embodiments. The drawing is provided for the purposeof facilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. The drawingdoes not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure and shouldnot be considered limiting.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the graphical user interface 1104 that can bemounted in a vehicle 1102. In some embodiments, the graphical userinterface 1104 can display a map 1208 and the real-time vehicle locationof the second vehicle 1204 superimposed on the map 1208. The graphicaluser interface 1104 can display message paths, such as message path 1202and message path 1206. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface1104 can display images, verbal instructions as text, videos, messagesfrom the system requesting user input, and/or other information.

As discussed, FIG. 12 illustrates an example graphical user interface.Other embodiments can include one or more other criteria described withreference to FIG. 12. Embodiments that may omit or add to one or morefeatures to the graphical user interface of FIG. 12 are within the scopeof this disclosure.

Example Method for Creating Instructions Payload Comprising Navigationand/or Landmark Markers

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram depicting an example method for creatinginstructions payload comprising navigation and/or landmark markers 1300,according to some embodiments. The flow diagram is provided for thepurpose of facilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. Thediagram does not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure andshould not be considered limiting.

At block 1302, the system receives location-tagged verbal instructionswith visual data. Block 1302 has the same description as described inreference to block 802 of FIG. 8. The visual data can be at least imagesand/or video.

At block 1304, the system asks whether there are any navigation and/orlandmark keywords in the verbal instructions. In some embodiments,navigation keywords can include left, right, straight, backward,forward, curve, up, down, and/or other words used to navigate. In someembodiments, landmark keywords can include tree, rock, hill, mountain,river, lake, stream, log, ditch, valley, and/or other words used todescribe landmarks. The system can determine if any navigation and/orlandmark keywords are in the verbal instructions. When the systemdetermines that a navigation keyword is in the verbal instructions, thesystem moves to block 1306. When the system determines that a landmarkkeyword is in the verbal instructions, the system moves to block 1308.When the system determines that no navigation keyword or landmarkkeyword is in the verbal instructions, the system moves to block 1310.

At block 1306, the system adds a navigation marker to the visual datathat corresponds to the identified navigation keyword. A nonlimitingexample is placing an arrow pointing right in response to the systemidentifying a keyword that says right. In some embodiments, the systemadds a navigation marker to a map at the geospatial location where theleader driver spoke the navigation keyword. In some embodiments, thenavigation marker will temporarily be placed in the visual data duringreproduction but will be removed after a period of time. In response toadding a navigation marker to the visual data, the system can move toblock 1310.

At block 1308, the system identifies a landmark in the visual data thatcorresponds to the identified landmark keyword and marks the landmark inthe visual data. In some embodiments, the system uses an imagerecognition algorithm to identify a landmark in the visual data. Oncethe landmark is identified, the system marks the landmark to bring it tothe attention of the second driver. In response to marking the landmark,the system moves to block 1310.

At block 1310, the system reproduces the location-tagged verbalinstructions with visual data and any added landmark and/or navigationmarkers. In some embodiments, the system can reproduce the location thelocation-tagged verbal instructions with visual data and any addedlandmark and/or navigation markers on the graphical user interfaces asdescribed in reference to FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 14, and/or display 228of FIG. 2A.

As discussed, FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment of a method forcreating instructions payload comprising navigation and/or landmarkmarkers. Other embodiments can include one or more other criteriadescribed with reference to FIG. 13 and/or other suitable criteria foraccomplishing one or more objectives set forth in this disclosure. Suchembodiments, which may omit or add to one or more the steps shown in theflow diagram of FIG. 13, are within the scope of this disclosure.

Example Visual Reproduction of an Instructions Payload ComprisingNavigation and Landmark Markers

FIG. 14 is a drawing depicting an example visual reproduction of aninstructions payload comprising navigation and landmark markers 1400,according to some embodiments. The drawing is provided for the purposeof facilitating description of aspects of some embodiments. The drawingdoes not attempt to illustrate all aspects of the disclosure and shouldnot be considered limiting.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the visual reproduction of an instructionspayload comprising navigation and/or landmark markers 1400 includes avisual depiction of the first driver's verbal instructions 1402. Thevisual depiction of the first driver's verbal instructions 1402 includesa timestamp 1404, navigation keywords “turn left” 1406, and/or landmarkkeywords “big rock.” The visual reproduction of an instructions payloadcomprising navigation and/or landmark markers 1400 can include anavigation marker 1412 that corresponds to the navigation keywords “turnleft” 1406 superimposed on the visual data 1410. The visual reproductionof an instructions payload comprising navigation and/or landmark markers1400 can include a landmark marker 1416 that marks a landmark 1414superimposed on the visual data 1410.

As discussed, FIG. 14 illustrates an example visual reproduction of aninstructions payload comprising navigation and landmark markers. Otherembodiments can include one or more other criteria described withreference to FIG. 14. Embodiments that may omit or add to one or morefeatures to the visual reproduction of an instructions payloadcomprising navigation and/or landmark markers of FIG. 14 are within thescope of this disclosure.

Terminology

Depending on the embodiment, certain acts, events, or functions of anyof the processes or algorithms described herein can be performed in adifferent sequence, can be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g.,not all described operations or events are necessary for the practice ofthe algorithm). Moreover, in certain embodiments, operations or eventscan be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing,interrupt processing, or multiple processors or processor cores or onother parallel architectures, rather than sequentially.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, routines, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein can be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations ofelectronic hardware and computer software. To clearly illustrate thisinterchangeability, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,and steps have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, oras software that runs on hardware, depends upon the particularapplication and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Thedescribed functionality can be implemented in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosure.

Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks and modules describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implementedor performed by a machine, such as a general purpose processor device, adigital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described herein. A processor device can be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor device can be a controller,microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same, or thelike. A processor device can include electrical circuitry configured toprocess computer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, aprocessor device includes an FPGA or other programmable device thatperforms logic operations without processing computer-executableinstructions. A processor device can also be implemented as acombination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and amicroprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration. Although described herein primarily with respect todigital technology, a processor device may also include primarily analogcomponents. For example, some or all of the algorithms described hereinmay be implemented in analog circuitry or mixed analog and digitalcircuitry. A computing environment can include any type of computersystem, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on amicroprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, aportable computing device, a device controller, or a computationalengine within an appliance, to name a few.

The elements of a method, process, routine, or algorithm described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodieddirectly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processordevice, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside inRAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium. An exemplary storagemedium can be coupled to the processor device such that the processordevice can read information from, and write information to, the storagemedium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to theprocessor device. The processor device and the storage medium can residein an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative,the processor device and the storage medium can reside as discretecomponents in a user terminal.

Language of example or capability used herein, such as, among others,“can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” “some,” “certain,” and the like,unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or withoutother input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or stepsare included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. Theterms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymousand are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not excludeadditional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, theterm “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusivesense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements,the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may beeither X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z).Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and shouldnot, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at leastone of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” shouldgenerally be interpreted to include one or more described items.Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended toinclude one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devicescan also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations.For example, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B andC” can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation Aworking in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry outrecitations B and C.

While the above detailed description has shown and described features asapplied to various example embodiments, omissions, substitutions,additions, and changes in the form and details of the devices oralgorithms described can be made without departing from the spirit ofthe disclosure. Certain embodiments described herein can be embodiedwithin a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits setforth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately fromothers. The scope of certain embodiments disclosed herein is indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for facilitating communications betweena first driver of a first off-road vehicle and a second driver of asecond off-road vehicle following the first off-road vehicle, the systemcomprising: a wireless data interface configured to receive a maneuverinstructions payload comprising: electronically encoded verbalinstructions, wherein the verbal instructions comprise instructionsspoken by the first driver of the first off-road vehicle at a primarymaneuver location; and electronically encoded primary maneuver locationcoordinates corresponding to the primary maneuver location, wherein theprimary maneuver location corresponds to a geospatial location at whichthe first driver of the first off-road vehicle begins the verbalinstructions; a location data interface configured to receive areal-time vehicle location of the second off-road vehicle from asatellite-linked position receiver; a hardware processor connected to amemory system, wherein the memory system comprises instructionsexecutable by the hardware processor, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted by the hardware processor, cause the system to: determine thatthe real-time vehicle location of the second off-road vehicle is withina threshold distance of the primary maneuver location; and in responseto determining that the real-time vehicle location of the secondoff-road vehicle is within the threshold distance of the primarymaneuver location, reproduce the verbal instructions in a mannerperceivable by the second driver of the second off-road vehicle.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the maneuver instructions payload furthercomprises: electronically encoded secondary maneuver locationcoordinates corresponding to a secondary maneuver location, wherein thesecondary maneuver location corresponds to a geospatial location atwhich the first driver of the first off-road vehicle continues givingthe verbal instructions; wherein a message path comprises the primarymaneuver location, the secondary maneuver location, and a pathconnecting the primary maneuver location to the secondary maneuverlocation.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted by the hardware processor, are configured to cause the systemto: determine whether the real-time vehicle location of the secondoff-road vehicle is within a second threshold distance of the secondarymaneuver location; in response to determining that the real-time vehiclelocation of the second off-road vehicle is within the second thresholddistance of the secondary maneuver location, continue reproducing theverbal instructions; in response to determining that the real-timevehicle location of the second off-road vehicle is not within the secondthreshold distance of the secondary maneuver location, pause thereproduction of the verbal instructions and prompt the second driver ofthe second off-road vehicle to indicate if the reproduction of theverbal instructions should be continued; and in response to the seconddriver of the second off-road vehicle indicating that the reproductionof the verbal instructions should be continued, continue reproducing theverbal instructions.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the instructions,when executed by the hardware processor, are configured to cause thesystem to: determine that the real-time vehicle location of the secondoff-road vehicle has deviated from the message path by at least a thirdthreshold distance; and in response to determining that the real-timevehicle location of the second off-road vehicle has deviated from themessage path by at least the third threshold distance, generate a pathdeviation alert perceivable by the second driver of the second off-roadvehicle.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted by the hardware processor, are configured to cause the systemto: in response to determining that the real-time vehicle location ofthe second off-road vehicle has deviated from the message path, pausethe reproduction of the verbal instructions and prompt the second driverof the second off-road vehicle to indicate if the reproduction of theverbal instructions should be continued; and in response to the seconddriver of the second off-road vehicle indicating that the reproductionof the verbal instructions should be continued, continue reproducing theverbal instructions.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the instructions,when executed by the hardware processor, are configured to cause thesystem to: in response to determining that the real-time vehiclelocation of the second off-road vehicle has deviated from the messagepath, prompt the second driver of the second off-road vehicle toindicate if the second driver should be routed back to the message path;in response to the second driver of the second off-road vehicleindicating that the second driver of the second off-road vehicle shouldbe routed back to the message path, generate a display of the messagepath and the real-time location of the second off-road vehicle, andprompt the second driver of the second off-road vehicle to select alocation along the message path; and in response to the second driver ofthe second off-road vehicle selecting a location along the message path,generate direction guidance routing the second driver of the secondoff-road vehicle to the selected location along the message path.
 7. Thesystem of claim 2, further comprising a camera interface configured toreceive images captured by a camera positioned to capture imagery in thevicinity of the first vehicle.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein: themaneuver instructions payload comprises electronically encoded imagerycaptured by the camera at the primary maneuver location; and wherein theinstructions, when executed by the hardware processor, are configured tocause the system to: in response to determining that the real-timevehicle location of the second off-road vehicle is within the thresholddistance of the primary maneuver location, reproduce at least a portionof the imagery in a manner perceivable by the second driver of thesecond off-road vehicle.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein: the maneuverinstructions payload comprises electronically encoded secondary imagerycaptured by the camera at the secondary maneuver location; and whereinthe instructions, when executed by the hardware processor, areconfigured to cause the system to: in response to determining that thereal-time vehicle location of the second off-road vehicle is within thethreshold distance of the secondary maneuver location, reproduce atleast a portion of the secondary imagery in a manner perceivable by thesecond driver of the second off-road vehicle.
 10. The system of claim 8,wherein the instructions, when executed by the hardware processor, areconfigured to cause the system to: determine that the verbalinstructions comprise a navigation keyword; in response to determiningthat the verbal instructions comprise the navigation keyword, receive akeyword geospatial location from the satellite-linked position receiverand generate a display of a navigation marker on a map at the keywordgeospatial location.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the hardware processor, are configured tocause the system to: determine that the verbal instructions comprise alandmark keyword; in response to determining the verbal instructionscomprise the landmark keyword, use an image recognition algorithm toidentify a landmark in the imagery and generate a display of a landmarkmarker in the imagery.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein: the maneuverinstructions payload comprises electronically encoded video captured bythe camera at the primary maneuver location; and wherein theinstructions, when executed by the hardware processor, are configured tocause the system to: in response to determining that the real-timevehicle location of the second off-road vehicle is within the thresholddistance of the primary maneuver location, reproduce the video in amanner perceivable by the second driver of the second off-road vehicle.13. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed bythe hardware processor, are configured to cause the system to: determinethat the verbal instructions comprise a navigation keyword and/or alandmark keyword; in response to determining that the verbalinstructions comprise the navigation keyword, generate a display of anavigation marker superimposed on the video; and in response todetermining that the verbal instructions comprise the landmark keyword,use an image recognition algorithm to identify a landmark in the videoand generate a display of a landmark marker in the video.
 14. The systemof claim 1, wherein the system is configured to begin recording theverbal instructions when the first driver of the first off-road vehiclespeaks a trigger word.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the hardware processor, are configured tocause the system to: determine that the first driver of the firstoff-road vehicle has spoken a recipient keyword identifying a recipientof the verbal instructions; in response to determining that the firstdriver of the first off-road vehicle has spoken the recipient keyword,identify at least one corresponding intended recipient and reproduce theverbal instructions in a manner perceivable by the at least onecorresponding intended recipient.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein thesystem is configured to begin recording the verbal instructions when thefirst driver of the first off-road vehicle speaks at or above athreshold volume.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system isconfigured to begin recording the verbal instructions when the firstdriver of the first off-road vehicle presses a button.
 18. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the maneuver instructions payload comprises sensorinformation collected by a sensing system connected to the firstoff-road vehicle.
 19. A system for facilitating communications between afirst driver of a first vehicle and a second driver of a second vehiclefollowing the first vehicle, the system comprising: a wireless datainterface configured to receive a maneuver instructions payloadcomprising: electronically encoded maneuver instructions, wherein themaneuver instructions comprise instructions from the first driver of thefirst vehicle at a primary maneuver location; and electronically encodedprimary maneuver location coordinates corresponding to the primarymaneuver location, wherein the maneuver location corresponds to ageospatial location at which the first driver of the first vehiclebegins providing the maneuver instructions; a location data interfaceconfigured to receive a real-time vehicle location of the second vehiclefrom a satellite-linked position receiver; a hardware processorconnected to a memory system, wherein the memory system comprisesinstructions executable by the hardware processor, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the hardware processor, cause the systemto: determine that the real-time vehicle location of the second vehicleis within a threshold distance of the primary maneuver location; and inresponse to determining that the real-time vehicle location is withinthe threshold distance of the primary maneuver location, reproduce themaneuver instructions in a manner perceivable by the second driver ofthe second vehicle.
 20. Headgear configured to be worn by a driver of avehicle and to facilitate communications between a driver of an off-roadvehicle and another driver of a different off-road vehicle, the headgearcomprising: the system of claim 1; a speaker configured to reproduceverbal instructions in a manner perceivable by the driver of theoff-road vehicle; a microphone positioned to receive verbalcommunications from the driver of the off-road vehicle; a data interfaceconfigured to connect to the hardware processor, and a power connectionconfigured to connect to a power supply.